LEICESTER, England CMC:Out-of-favour West Indies batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan has been appointed Leicestershire's four-day captain for the upcoming English county season.

The 32-year-old, who has not played for West Indies in a year and a half, will replace former Test seamer Matthew Hoggard.

"I've really enjoyed working with Matthew over the past three years, especially during our successful T20 campaign," Leicestershire head coach Phil Whitticase said.

"It is important for everyone to get behind Ronnie as we look to take the club forward."

Hoggard added: "I have enjoyed being captain over the past three years but I feel that it is the right time to hand over the reins."

Sarwan debuted for Leicestershire last season, scoring 941 runs at an average of 40.91 as the club finished seventh of nine teams in Division Two.

He led the club on a few occasions while Hoggard was injured, and proved a success with the players on and off the field.

Sarwan, a former Guyana and West Indies skipper, is a vastly experienced player, having played 87 Tests and 173 one-day internationals. However, his last eight Tests innings have yielded just 83 runs, following on from a modest World Cup.

He subsequently criticised "certain individuals" in the West Indies management for damaging his self-confidence.

Sarwan made himself available for the just-concluded Bangladesh tour but was overlooked.